Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-76456.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: OrSen: Disney Restricts Benefits for DVC Resales</b></a> <p>An Orlando Sentinel article analyses a recent change in Disney's Disney Vacation Club resale policies. Customers who purchase a resale from an existing DVC customer instead of a new membership from Disney will no longer be able to redeem their points at conventional Disney hotels, for cruises or for stays abroad. They'll only be able to use them at the DVC resorts. The article has more on this policy, its ramifications and the reasons for it.</p>
Originally Posted By gmaletic This is shameful. Yet it was inevitable. The second that DVC stagnates, the rug gets pulled out from "owners" (who, to be honest, aren't really owners, despite what Disney tells them.) I understand why people want to sign up for DVC: they want to be "owners," and they want what they believe to be a good deal for their family vacations. But nothing good comes out of people thinking they own the Disney parks, and nothing good comes out of Disney thinking they don't have to work to earn people's money, instead relying on annual fees.
Originally Posted By ImTempest This is going to eliminate my purchasing DVC, as we live on the West Coast and the Grand Californian Villas are sold out.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Disney isn't playing nice, typical. Just because their sales aren't magical, they want to make resales less attractive.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct This new policy should be fought / challenged. A membership is a membership. It will give pause to people buying into DVC. For example, I would want to feel like I could resell if I wanted. It now sounds like the purchaser is "stuck" with the membership now. What about passing on your membership to your kids?! THAT was a selling point. Once passed on is it no longer an original membership thereby not allowing your children to use it as you did? I know how awful a cost the timeshares are but I was still considering it and looking into a resale. I wouldn't touch it now. thanks for helping me come to a final decision - no deal !!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 they are a corporation folks- plain and simple- If one actually does some readingon this instead of just bashing Disney at every turn- you will find that Marriott and other ' time share companies have been doing this for quite some time.. As for not buying now- if you buy from Disney directly it does not affect you at all- this is only for resale so I don't understand that sentiment ? Also for those who are long time DVC owners - this is the right thing IMHO...to protect our investment-- of course, I know, I read the memo, nothing Disney does is right any more.. as fr as being able to resell- not an issue even with this unless someone wants to make a killing-- as points are more than double what many of us paid for them-- so selling at a profit - nop, selling yes. Has anyone actually checked into the kids angle- or just repeating what they ';heard'. The DVC propoerty is deedable property therefore I believe change of ownership that involves no money is not a 'resale'-- but I will check into before I make a statement tat I actually don't have the facts on.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 And yes -- I agree they are doing this to boost their own direct sales, absolutely- this was first and foremost regardless of what the marketing pitches will say...I do live in the real world And yes the resale 'value' per point of reslaes had been dropping.. this is consistent with any form of real estate across the US-- sign into www.zillow.com and look at the value of your own home over the last 36 months..it's not a pretty picture I applaud the move to try and stop the dumping of property..no different than in any industry, when sales go out to market severely undervalued..what it does to current values..ask the auto industry. Is this a pereftc answer- no. But better than sitting back and doing nothing..brand protection is important
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ Sorry vbdad - I've no idea how you can defend DVC with this change of policy. DVC sales are in the toilet because of the overcapacity in the WDW market. Folks are bailing left, right and center for a host of reasons and so resale points can be sub-$70 per point for WDW resorts like DAKL and BoardWalk (and I understand that OKW is trading at less than $60 on some exchanges). DVC members should have every right to transfer all rights to a third party by resale if they like - just because resale prices are very low isn't the fault of the owners - it is Disney's fault for the excess capacity. This will only drive down resale prices further and is pretty shameful irrespective of what other timeshare operators do - you expect DVC to honor its original contract irrespective of whether they have the right to variation. I hope it is clear to new buyers that they can't transfer all rights - I'm sure it will make a lot of folks think twice. I heard a delightful story last night that encapsulates how I feel these days about DVC - the shameless shilling that was being done onboard the Dream last week - from salesmen telling folks that DVC is a "loss leader" to shouting across the atrium that a presentation was about to begin. Truly disgusting - anything to trap more folks into DVC.
Originally Posted By leemac <<As for not buying now- if you buy from Disney directly it does not affect you at all- this is only for resale so I don't understand that sentiment ?>> And resale is the only way to buy into "sold out" resorts - why should buyers be restricted to just buying the current property? What about SoCal-ers that couldn't afford the GC at the time but now can so have to resort to secondary markets.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Is this really that big a deal? How many DVC owners use points at the non-DVC resorts anyway? In twelve years the only time I've done it was in Anaheim before the Grand Californian Villas were built. Staying at the regular resorts is NOT a good use of points. A night at the Coronado Springs in a 314 square foot room costs as much as night at Old Key West in a 942 square foot one-bedroom Villa. I used points last fall on a Disney Cruise, but Spirit posted that with the way Disney discounts cruises I would be far better off saving my points and paying cash. I’d think the Spirit would welcome this news with open arms. It will keep DVC resale riff-raff and their coolers full of food from WalMart out of the REAL hotels… ;-)
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt I WANT TO BE A DVC MEMBER!! and I don't want resale trash comming in & ruining the place! When we take our Cruise next year I'm looking into this seriously!
Originally Posted By schnebs I love the bit about how DVC is doing this due to "guest feedback". It takes a lot of guts to take surveys where members tell Disney they'd like more benefits from being DVC members and spin that into an excuse to cut benefits to people who want to become members through the resale market. One advantage to potential buyers, though: Between the benefit cut and Disney using ROFR less and less, prices for resales will drop through the floor. If someone doesn't mind not being able to stay at a non-DVC Disney resort or not being able to travel on DCL with points, they'll be able to pick up some bargains.
Originally Posted By cal2632 So long as they will still allow me to designate what contract points I want to use for what trip (points bought from Disney for an Adventures by Disney trip and resale points for resort stays) this is a good deal for those of us who would like to add on cheaply.